tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
During the 2009 influenza A/H1N1v pandemic, children were identified as a specific "at risk"group. We conducted a multicentric study to describe pattern of influenza A/H1N1v infection among hospitalized children in Brussels, Belgium.
Methods: From July 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, we collected epidemiological and clinical data of all proven (positive H1N1v PCR) and probable (positive influenza A antigen or culture) pediatric cases of influenza A/H1N1v infections, hospitalized in four tertiary centers.
Results: During the epidemic period, an excess of 18% of pediatric outpatients and emergency department visits was registered.
215 children were hospitalized with proven/probable influenza A/H1N1v infection. Median age was 31 months.
47% had [greater than or equal to] 1 comorbid conditions. Febrile respiratory illness was the most common presentation.
36% presented with initial gastrointestinal symptoms and 10% with neurological manifestations. 34% had pneumonia.
Only 24% of the patients received oseltamivir but 57% received antibiotics. 10% of children were admitted to PICU, seven of whom with ARDS.
Case fatality-rate was 5/215 (2%), concerning only children suffering from chronic neurological disorders. Children over 2 years of age showed a higher propensity to be admitted to PICU (16% vs 1%, p=0.002) and a higher mortality rate (4% vs 0%, p=0.06).
Infants less than 3 months old showed a milder course of infection, with few respiratory and neurological complications.
Conclusion: Although influenza A/H1N1v infections were generally self-limited, pediatric burden of disease was significant. Compared to other countries experiencing different health care systems, our Belgian cohort was younger and received less frequently antiviral therapy; disease course and mortality were however similar.
Author: Sophie BlumentalElisabeth HuismanMarie-Coralie CornetChristine FerreiroIris De SchutterMarijke ReyndersIngrid WyboBenoit Kabamba-MukadiRuth ArmanoDominique HermansMarie-Cecile NassogneBhavna MahadebChristine FonteyneGerlant Van BerlaerJack LevyDid
http://7thspace.com/headlines/39915...ampaign=Feed: 7thspace (7thSpace Interactive)
Methods: From July 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, we collected epidemiological and clinical data of all proven (positive H1N1v PCR) and probable (positive influenza A antigen or culture) pediatric cases of influenza A/H1N1v infections, hospitalized in four tertiary centers.
Results: During the epidemic period, an excess of 18% of pediatric outpatients and emergency department visits was registered.
215 children were hospitalized with proven/probable influenza A/H1N1v infection. Median age was 31 months.
47% had [greater than or equal to] 1 comorbid conditions. Febrile respiratory illness was the most common presentation.
36% presented with initial gastrointestinal symptoms and 10% with neurological manifestations. 34% had pneumonia.
Only 24% of the patients received oseltamivir but 57% received antibiotics. 10% of children were admitted to PICU, seven of whom with ARDS.
Case fatality-rate was 5/215 (2%), concerning only children suffering from chronic neurological disorders. Children over 2 years of age showed a higher propensity to be admitted to PICU (16% vs 1%, p=0.002) and a higher mortality rate (4% vs 0%, p=0.06).
Infants less than 3 months old showed a milder course of infection, with few respiratory and neurological complications.
Conclusion: Although influenza A/H1N1v infections were generally self-limited, pediatric burden of disease was significant. Compared to other countries experiencing different health care systems, our Belgian cohort was younger and received less frequently antiviral therapy; disease course and mortality were however similar.
Author: Sophie BlumentalElisabeth HuismanMarie-Coralie CornetChristine FerreiroIris De SchutterMarijke ReyndersIngrid WyboBenoit Kabamba-MukadiRuth ArmanoDominique HermansMarie-Cecile NassogneBhavna MahadebChristine FonteyneGerlant Van BerlaerJack LevyDid
http://7thspace.com/headlines/39915...ampaign=Feed: 7thspace (7thSpace Interactive)